142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

314605
Health Equity in the Heartland

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 : 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM

Marisa New, MPH, OTR , Oklahoma Public Health Association, OKC, OK
Despite improvements in healthcare access and technology, persistent health disparities remain for Oklahoma’s underserved populations. The Oklahoma Board of Health recognized the need to address health equity and established the Health Equity and Resource Opportunities (HERO) within the Community Development Service of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. HERO aims to address inequities in the distribution of the social determinants of health by strengthening relationships among faith-based organizations, social service organizations, businesses, community non-profits, tribal governments, community health boards, clinics and other health care providers, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

To highlight opportunities to build on the strengths, assets, and resources of a community, the HERO established the Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign (OHEC). OHEC raises awareness among state and community leaders of health inequities and engages them in conversation and action to address these inequities. OHEC places an emphasis on upstream policies to promote better health, such as: investing in schools, improving housing, integrating neighborhoods, creating living wage jobs with career ladders, and fostering equitable fiscal policies.

This presentation provides insights into the development of activities and products of HERO and OHEC. This presentation shows how a state health department can engage multi-sector partners to help them recognize the importance of addressing health with prevention rather than the solely the healthcare system. Oklahoma will describe its organizational and community outreach strategies for institutionalizing the advancement of health equity within programs and policies across the state.

Learning Areas:

Communication and informatics
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe how non-traditional partners are essential to maximizing the health of all individuals. List key leadership decisions that strategically support the infrastructure necessary to institutionalize health equity within Oklahoma’s health department system. Describe the Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign and its key components.

Keyword(s): Health Disparities/Inequities, Public Health Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an occupational therapist with an MPH in Health Administration and Policy. I have worked for the Oklahoma State Department of Health since 2000. Presently, I am the manager of the Health Equity & Resource Opportunities Division where I build partnerships with non-health sectors. One of my primary roles is to provide technical assistance to the Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign, a statewide coalition. Partners represent housing, transportation, food, literacy, health and the general community.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.